The language development of infants born single or as twins
seems to show a number of differences. Compared to single born infants, the language development of twins has proven to be
delayed in many studies

Some studies state that twin language development eventually
catches up. However, the main factor effecting the language of twins is the language environment which they
exist in. Studies show that the type of speech used by mothers of twins is different the the language used by mothers of single
babies.

The mothers of single infants tend to be more sensitive
and responsive to their infant’s cues in communicative interactions, they appear to provide an superior language
learning environment for their infants, because they focus on the infant’s experience rather than trying to control
or direct interactions

Mothers of twins tend to exhibit greater amounts of mother-focused
styles of interaction, which are marked by greater use of directive speech and where there is an attempt by the mother to
control the direction of the interaction, These types of interactions effect language development negatively.

The mothers of twins was less
infant-focused, less responsive to infant nonvocal cues, and ascribed less
agency to the infant than the speech of mothers of single infants. Mothers of twins also ask their infants fewer questions, and they speak more in declarative speech

The differences observed between a mother with a single infant and a mother with twins can
be simply explained by the use of ‘motherese’ speech by mothers., therefore, alanguage learning environment for twin infants differs from that experienced by single infants.

Mothers of twin infants who have not yet aquired language share a number of speech characteristics
with stressed and depressed mothers, however their speech style cannot be explained simply by stress or depression alone.

Mostlikely, lack of time
to practise ‘motherese’, and less time available for a mother of twin infants to become familiar with their
infant’s interactive behaviour, probably because the mothers’ attention was always divided between two
infants